“Jupiter?!” I screeched.
“He’s a sneaky fuck. He’s not directly tied to this. They can deny it came from him because sources are protected. He must have gone to them straight after you saw him at the hospital if those are recent pictures. They’ve been waiting to catch you together.” He started chewing on his lip and he read it again, almost mumbling to himself. “The lawyers won’t be able to stop this in time for print. They might be able to get some of it changed as it’s easy to find out he’s not a cardiologist and just a fucking basic doctor.”
My tears started up again, unable to hold them in any longer.
He picked up his phone and dialed, putting it on speakerphone. “Hey, man, we’re reading it now. It’s fucking bullshit.”
“I know. Is Emerson there?”
“I’m here,” I said through wracked sobs.
“Baby, I’m so sorry. I’m trying to get it taken down online. Mary and the lawyers are on it too, on all of it.”
“Okay,” I sobbed. “Drew, it’s so unfair. Nothing is true. I’ve done none of this.”
“I know, sweetheart, I know.”
Jupiter leaned onto the counter, nearer the phone. “Crawley, let me know if there’s anything I can do too. I can threaten a lawsuit too.”
“Yeah, that would probably help.”
“Okay, I’ll call them.”
“Thanks, man. Emerson, I love you. It’ll be okay and we’ll sort this.”
I wish they would stop telling me it was going to be okay.
Jupiter took his phone back and dialed another number. The urge to get very drunk hit again. I took a sip of my beer. This wouldn’t do it; I needed something stronger.
I walked into the pantry and found a bottle of tequila, swiping it off the shelf. I looked around to see if there was anything else I wanted, before spying the massive bag of candy.
You’re coming with me too.
Jupiter was over by the far windows, staring out at the garden. I grabbed a glass and poured myself a large drink, knocking it back in one, the liquid burning my throat before it hit my brain. It was amazing how alcohol just made you feel better immediately.
I poured another.
Maybe they were right and it would be okay.
I rummaged in the candy bag until I found the Red Vines I used to love as a kid, breaking the packet open. I’d forgotten how good they were, and they went perfectly with my tequila.
How did I not know that before?
The screen was still open on the horrible article, the pictures automatically scrolling across the page.
Why the fuck did the camera have to be pointed at that angle?
Had my tongue always been that big?
My mom and dad were going to see these.
I topped up my glass, looking over to Jupiter who was still on his phone.
I didn’t know how they were going to fix it. It was already out there. Everyone was reading it. At least the team at the studio knew it wasn’t true.
I hoped.
No, they did. They knew. Drew had told them the story of Vegas.
